Serious Alabama Criminal & DUI Defense

Tuscaloosa Expungement Lawyer

Expungement is the erasure of a criminal charge from a person’s criminal record as it is accessible to the public. A criminal charge or arrest, no matter how minor, remains on your criminal record and can follow you everywhere. In Alabama, while convictions are not eligible for expungement, non-felony charges as well as non-violent felony charges in certain circumstances, are eligible.

An expungement will essentially return your record to its state before you were charged with a crime. However, law enforcement and the courts will still have access to any expunged records. Nearly everyone with prior arrests or charges can benefit from expungement, which is why it is so important to speak with a Tuscaloosa expungement lawyer. An experienced criminal attorney can help guide you through the application process.

Charges That May be Expunged

There is no reason that a past mistake should follow someone around as they live their life as a law-abiding individual. An expungement attorney can assist the individual in having prior arrests and charges expunged from their record, which can protect them from risks to their reputation and future opportunities. Criminal charges that a Tuscaloosa expungement lawyer may be able to have expunged include:

Driving under the influence (DUI)

Possession of a controlled substance

Possession of marijuana

Ordinance violations

Misdemeanors

Non-violent felonies

Reasons to Have a Record Sealed

The presence of criminal charges on someone’s record can negatively affect their reputation for years and potentially be a restriction on doing the things they want to do. After a criminal charge of any kind, the best outcome is to have the charge hidden from public view. Tuscaloosa expungement lawyers can help those seeking help to remove criminal history. Some of the impediments that can result from visible charges on a criminal record include:

Limited job opportunities

Difficulty obtaining affordable credit

Limited housing opportunities

Greater scrutiny by educational systems

What are the Risks of Not Clearing a Record?

Unfortunately, Alabama has no state law to restrict employers’ use of criminal records in their hiring decisions. Nearly all employers run background checks on prospective employees. An arrest record can negatively affect an employer’s perception of an applicant, whether or not this is fair. While it is unlikely that the individual would be unable to find a home or auto loan due to a criminal charge on their record, they may find it more difficult to obtain favorable loan terms. Lenders may view them as an unpredictable or unreliable borrower and charge fees or higher interest rates.

Property owners and landlords often screen potential tenants for prior arrests and convictions and may decide to reject the applications of those with a criminal record. If someone plans to apply to higher education or a professional organization, their arrest record may come up during the application process, leading to scrutiny on the part of those in charge of admissions. Tuscaloosa expungement attorneys see that it is better to have a clean record than to have to explain why decision-makers should overlook prior arrests and criminal charges.

Speaking with a Tuscaloosa Expungement Attorney

The best way to protect your reputation from the stigma of a criminal record is to have all records of your prior arrests and charges removed from the public’s view. An expungement attorney in Tuscaloosa can assist you in navigating the complicated process of expungement so you can enjoy a clean criminal record. For more information about how a Tuscaloosa expungement lawyer can help you to have a clean record and make the most of all of life’s future opportunities.